Physics Program

Courses and Requirements

This program is designed to prepare students for work as a professional physicist. It is required as a first step for graduate work in physics fields such as astrophysics, biophysics, etc. The analytical and demanding nature of the program is also excellent preparation for graduate programs in engineering, medicine or law, as well as technical jobs in industry. This degree provides the most thorough and rigorous course of study that we offer.

Physics Bachelor of Science MAP (2025-26 Catalog)

Courses and Requirements

The program has fewer required credit hours of study than the Bachelor of Science option, and can offer increased time to pursue other academic interests. The rigorous nature of the program compared with other alternatives can also be excellent preparation for graduate studies in engineering, and in Medicine and Law, as well as those wishing to pursue a technical career in industry.

Physics Bachelor of Arts MAP (2025-26 Catalog)

Courses and Requirements

Do you want to teach high school physics? This popular program is designed to train students for licensure in this rewarding career option. Currently, only 47% of physics classes are taught by a teacher with a degree in the subject, compared with 73% of biology classes and 80% of humanities classes. There is a rising number of students taking physics each year (doubling between 1987 and 2009), and thus an ever-increasing need for well-trained physics teachers. Features of the program include

• Reduced physics hours compared to the B. S. and B. A. programs
• State teaching certification at the Secondary level

Physics with Secondary Education Bachelor of Science MAP (2025-26 Catalog)

Courses and Requirements

This program is well suited to those students who want to pursue engineering or a similar area after graduating with a physics degree from Wheaton. Required courses include core experimental and theoretical studies in physics but also include required coursework in engineering. Students completing this degree will be well-prepared to pursue a masters degree in engineering or go directly into a variety of careers in business or industry.

Physics Applied Bachelor of Science MAP (2025-26 Catalog)

Courses and Requirements

A minor in Physics is available to students in other majors who take at least 20 credits of PHYS or ENGR courses that apply toward one of the physics majors. This can strengthen a student’s resume or serve as a path to sample portions of the physics major that are of particular interest to the student. For those pursuing secondary education credentials in another discipline, getting a minor in physics can open the door to an endorsement that allows one to also teach physics, a high-demand area throughout the country. A physics minor would enable a student to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching for physics.